Let’s all have a say on the future of our great union

GREAT Britain has been the most successful union of countries in history.

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, Feb 23, 2014

It would be tragic if our great union was brought to an end [GETTY]

Together England, Wales and Scotland built an empire, forged the Industrial Revolution and created a stable democracy. Now also with Northern Ireland it remains a place of untold advantage, tolerance and opportunity. It would be nothing short of tragic were this to end. Yet end it could if Scotland decides to leave the union. So it seems bizarre that the Scots alone will have a say in a decision that would affect us all.

As we reveal today 58 per cent of the UK, including Scotland, thinks we should all have a say in what is to happen and 62 per cent want the union to stay intact. That figure would probably be even higher were it not for Alex Salmond’s canny attempts to rile the English with policies designed to widen the rift but they and Mr Salmond will become irrelevant over time, whereas the destruction of the union would not. Why should we be denied a voice in this significant referendum? Why is Scotland being accorded privileges the rest of us are not?

The Sunday Express passionately believes the UK should remain intact with all of us gaining immeasurably from the continuation of our centuries-long bond. David Bowie might have been mocked when he appealed last week for Scotland to stay with the union but his sentiments are entirely right. Let’s stay together and give everyone in our great nation a say in what happens next.

Stay strong on Falklands

MORE sabre rattling from Argentina. Just months before drilling for oil begins in the Falklands, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has announced a £3billion revamp of the armed forces, sending out a clear message that that particular row still has some way to run.

In fact she is once again trying to distract attention from the dire state of her country’s economy but even so Britain must make it clear that the Falklands will remain British.

Military chiefs who have been keeping a careful eye on developments must be prepared to do a great deal more than that, including making sure that our Armed Forces are ready to intervene.

The Falklands are British. The overwhelming majority of islanders wish that to remain the case and there must be no wobbling in government.

The Falklands War in 1982 was Margaret Thatcher’s finest hour and proof that Britain will not be bullied by anyone. David Cameron must be prepared to show the same mettle should the need arise.

Unhealthy cuts at the NHS

IS THERE no one who can take an overall strategic look at our bloated NHS? The decision to stop making fresh food in order to save money is not only unhealthy but counter-productive as it means patients will take longer to recover and thus spend more time on the wards.

Clearly no one has thought through the decision and the patients’ needs have clearly been forgotten. Jeremy Hunt is supposed to be the Health Secretary. He should put a stop to this at once.

Wowed by Winter Games

WHAT A Winter Olympics. Team GB has won four medals to date, our most successful showing since 1924, and now golden girl Lizzy Yarnold will carry the Union Flag at tonight’s closing ceremony. We are proud of her and her fellow British contestants and wish luck to our bobsleigh team today. Whatever the outcome they have made the nation’s spirits soar.